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Crossing to the Side of Peace: A story from Rwanda

Crossing to the Side of Peace: A story from Rwanda

Last updated on: October 29, 2016 at 10:05 am by Father Pablo Migone

Crossing to the Side of Peace: A story from Rwanda 2016-10-29T10:05:25-05:00 Father Pablo Migone

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I traveled to Rwanda in July 2016 with Catholic Relief Services as part of a delegation. What I saw and heard from the people I met there renewed my faith in the power of forgiveness and reconciliation to create peace between people, between nations, and in oneself.

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A child carrying water in Cyangugu, Rwanda near the Diocesan Spirituality Center

Justine lost her brother in 1996 when Rwandan and Burundian refugees mercilessly murdered him. His lifeless body was tied to a truck and dragged, leaving the young man’s remains unrecognizable. Justine and her family were not only heartbroken but also outraged at the senseless act of violence performed by the refugees. Questioning her faith, for six years Justine stopped going to church, and also for six years, she did not dare enter the county of Rwanda. “These people killed my brother,” she stated the day I heard her recount the story. “I did not want to see them.”

Two years ago, Justine was invited by her pastor to attend a workshop hosted in part by her Diocese of Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The workshop would be a gathering of 60 women from three countries and four dioceses to initiate a pilot program named COSOPAX, which from French translates into Trader Women in Solidarity for Peace. The initiative, which is run by the Dioceses of Cyangugu (Rwanda), Bujumbura (Burundi), Bukavu (DRC), and Uvira (DRC), is a cross-border project primarily funded by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) with a two-fold purpose: lay the groundwork for peace to take hold and strengthen economic opportunities. COSOPAX has brought together women from Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, three countries with deeply damaged relations due to the prolonged suffering of their people caused by animosity, war and prejudice.

Justine

The four participating dioceses identified women who each day crossed the national boundaries of these three countries to buy and sell goods such as rice, flour, fruits, clothes, and fish. They were to become bridges between the three often hostile societies. As part of COSOPAX, the participating women go through a series of workshops focused on conflict resolution, overcoming prejudice, becoming advocates in their communities, and developing leadership skills to help influence and mobilize others. The women also benefit by learning better business skills and from the creation of a common fund for personal savings and the ability to take out loans.

Ida, one of the COSOPAX women, shared that she still finds it hard to believe that women can play an essential role in peace building. “It is not just the job of the police, army, and politicians,” she now believes. Women like Ida have been empowered to positively impact their communities. “I had hatred towards my brothers and sisters in Rwanda,” confessed Hortense. “I was defiant, choleric, my face was stressed.” The day she asked God despairing, “why is my life like this?” is the day Hortense received an invitation to be part of COSOPAX. She truly believes that God answered her prayer that day.

People gathering after Mass at the Cathedral of Cyangugu, Rwanda

The program identified women as participants since they were already the ones crossing national borders to conduct trade, coming into contact with a variety of people. Also, since women are the ones who shape the thoughts and hearts of children, all transformation brought about in them will be passed on to the next generation. One of the Congolese teams of four women had a total of 26 children! Françoise explained that, “the hatred is already in the hearts of our children.” Working closely with these women breaks cycles of prejudice and hatred. COSOPAX is bringing about institutional change in families and society by working closely with a diverse group of women. Sofia, another participant, observed that “to experience peace we need the inclusion of people from different categories: Congolese, Burundians, Rwandans, Catholics, Protestants, Muslims. You cannot experience peace if you live alone.” It is natural that a program designed to bring people together not only unites women from different countries, but also includes Catholics, Protestants and one Muslim. The good fruit that has come and continues to come from COSOPAX is benefiting many already as these women encounter thousands in their daily work.

Justine and me at the Diocesan Retreat House in Cyangugu, Rwanda

The sixteen women I heard speak in Cyangugu, Rwanda experienced healing and encouragement through COSOPAX. Not only did they learn how to discontinue prejudices, but they also gained business skills that have benefited them financially. They now keep accounting books, save money, and help each other. One participant proudly announced that she was able to save enough money to buy a chicken and a pair of glasses for her son. The women also take part in works of charity together, visiting the sick and providing for the needy. Most of them expressed a desire that COSOPAX continue and be expanded. For now this will only be possible through the continued partnership of Catholic Relief Services and the four participating dioceses. The program is funded and assisted by CRS, so your donations to CRS directly allow for this life changing program to continue and to expand.

View of the Democratic Republic of Congo from Rwanda across Lake Kivu

Justine was first attracted to COSOPAX by its business element alone. She was uneasy about gathering Rwandan, Burundian, and Congolese women, but she attended hoping to learn new business skills. With a wonderful, joyful smile, she now admits to her fear during the first workshop since she did not want to be in the same room with women from the neighboring countries. She was afraid one of them would kill her. As the workshop progressed, she realized the extent of the vision of COSOPAX and chose to remain. She understood that all these women with diverse backgrounds were her sisters in Christ. In regards to her brother’s death, COSOPAX facilitated a profound epiphany in her mind and heart, “I understood that fault is individual. Not all Rwandans and Burundians killed my brother. It is not right to attribute fault to them all.” This realization allowed her to begin healing a very deep wound.

The work of CRS in Rwanda and throughout the world continues to transform lives as profound institutional change is facilitated. CRS provides expertise and funding to its partners so they develop and run programs suited to meet the needs of their communities. COSOPAX is one of many programs made possible through the continued generosity of benefactors. The goodness of these generous hearts is transforming lives and communities as the Gospel is made incarnate through the continuous outreach of CRS made in the name of Christ and his Church. Just as the Rwandan participant Beatrice stated, “we have seen that the Congolese are our friends,” we must see every person as a friend in need, urging us not to remain indifferent but to respond concretely with prayer and action.

Children who are part of a choir spending time outside the Cathedral of Cyangugu Rwanda

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